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Home NATIONALFinland to propose war crime probes in Syria
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Fri, 07 Oct, 2016 12:06:50 AM
FTimes – STT Report, Oct 7
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä was speaking in the parliament during the questions-answers session on Thursday. Photo Lehtikuva.
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä will place a proposal to the European Council to initiate war crimes investigations in Syria.
 
Sipilä told parliament about the proposal in reply to a query of opposition Vihreä liitto (Green League) lawmaker Pekka Haavisto.
 
Haavisto said beginning war crimes procedures would increase pressure on the parties involved in the conflict.
 
It is clear that war crimes should be mentioned, in cases like the bombing of civilians, the bombing of hospitals, and the children trapped in the city of Aleppo, Haavisto said.
 
“They know they are not going to get off the hook [for these crimes], even if it might not be possible to create a formal criminal proceeding with a separate decision,” he explained.
 
He also said the UN Security Council’s weakness in this area is well-known. There are permanent members, including Russia, involved in the bombings, who can use their veto.
 
Sipilä agreed that the threat of war crimes procedures could affect the parties preventatively.
 
“I can certainly take this proposal to the European Council meeting, when we speak about this matter in a few weeks time,” said the prime minister.
 
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